The Daily Lectionary for Thursday, July 13, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
Thursday, July 13, 2023
Psalm 119:105-112; Exodus 3:1-6; Romans 2:12-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
  (Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 119:105-112
Your word is a lamp to my feet
Lucerna pedibus meis

Your word is a lantern to my feet *
  and a light upon my path.

I have sworn and am determined *
  to keep your righteous judgments.

I am deeply troubled; *
  preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.

Accept, O LORD, the willing tribute of my lips, *
  and teach me your judgments.

My life is always in my hand, *
  yet I do not forget your law.

The wicked have set a trap for me, *
  but I have not strayed from your commandments.

Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; *
  truly, they are the joy of my heart.

I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes *
  for ever and to the end.

Heavenly Father, Your word describes many blessings that believers can receive directly from Your hand. We trust Your word, and as believers we know by experience that Your word is true. You have never failed us, and You have never failed to keep Your word. But we confess that we have failed You and others, so teach us good judgment and give us greater knowledge of Your will. For Jesus' sake, forgive us for our failures and sins. Fill us now with the knowledge, love, power and Spirit of Jesus Christ so we can grow in faithfulness and grace. Use us to bring Your blessings to others that they might rejoice in You. We pray through Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray,

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Exodus 3:1-6
The God of Abraham Isaac Jacob

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.”

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Romans 2:12-16
God judges the secret thoughts

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for Thursday, July 13, 2023
Psalm 119:105-112; Exodus 3:1-6; Romans 2:12-16